Online Tutoring Help to Master Algebra Concepts

Online Tutoring Help to Master Algebra Concepts 0SHARESShare A fundamental knowledge of Algebraic courses is essential for mastering Algebra 1 or 2 at high school level. Still, doing Algebra is a complex matter to many and needs assistance and guidance in some definite form. Online tutoring help can take you out of the tangles of complex Algebra concepts and help you learn the subject with ease. What an online tutor in Algebra does for you? 1. He familiarizes you with the unfamiliar terms and expressions in Algebra, when you learn Algebra for the first time. When your mind gets baffled on reading the letters in the place of numbers, online Algebra tutoring knows how to introduce the subject to you. The tutor makes his task easy through simple and interesting methods to get you in touch with the terminologies, concepts and skills of Algebra. 2. He teaches you how to practice Algebra equations and remember them in your mind. As there are many equations, you tend to confuse yourself and find yourself in a pathetic situation. Problem solving also turns out to be entangling and difficult. Algebra solver online helps you in this context with its solved examples and exercises for drill. 3. An Algebra tutor online teaches you the value of practice in Algebra doing and guides you with repeated practice of equations and formulas in Algebra. Tutor Pace focuses on good learning capabilities of the students to acquire complete mastery over Algebra. Get Algebra Tutor Online Now! [starbox id=admin]

Should I Go To University of Virginia

Should I Go To University of Virginia The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Gina is an Atlanta tutor specializing in Algebra tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, Biology tutoring, and much more. She graduated from University of Virginia in 2010 where she studied Sociology and Biology. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Gina: UVA is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the cozy, but progressive city of Charlottesville. Its probably considered a college town with many activities revolving around the university but there are unique Charlottesville characteristics the downtown mall, nearby vineyards, and Monticello, too. The campus or grounds as they are called is pretty safe with runners jogging the streets at all hours of the night. You can walk from one side of the grounds to the other in less than 30 minutes. Both UVA and Charlottesville buses are free to students and provide transportation around Charlottesville. SafeRide is a service that Charlottesville police offer which is a free taxi service that you call after midnight to get a ride home. First-years are not allowed to have cars partly due to the lack of parking, but walking and the buses are the preferred modes of transportation anyways. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Gina: The professors, academic advisors, and TAs are 99% of the time available by appointment. Many of the professors teach undergrads as well as fostering graduate research so their time can be limited. At a public research university, professors are often busy but love to make time for their students, when students ask. I found that all professors, advisors, and TAs hosted office hours which was a great time to get help or catch up with them. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Gina: The dorm life was one of my favourite parts about UVA. Residence Life does an excellent job helping first-year students adjust to life away from your parents. Your hall or suite of living-mates become your best friends. Dorm-mates will be your buddies to have dinner with, visit the AFC (the gym), go to football games, study at the library, or hang out on the Lawn. Your RA will organize activities to foster a sense of community in the dorm. As far as dining options, there are three major dining halls Runk, Observatory Hill, and Newcomb. Runk has delicious food but is tucked away from the center of classes. O-Hill is the newest of the facilities, the favorite of most first-years, and offers a delicious stir-fry bar as well as two floors of dining. Newcomb is preferred for lunch and by upperclassmen because its closer to the libraries and classes. There are hundreds of clubs at UVA. If you can think of something you enjoy doing, chances are theres a club for it with other people who enjoy doing the same thing. Lots of majors have clubs to get people in the same classes talking. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Gina: UVA has a large undergrad Business program, an Architecture program, Nursing School, a 5-year Education program, and a College of Arts and Sciences. I was in the College of Arts and Sciences the largest of the undergraduate schools and I studied Biology and Sociology. Originally, I wanted to go to medical school and UVA has a large pre-med population majoring in Biology. In Biology, each student chooses a major advisor (after you declare your major) whom you meet with once per semester to outline your track to graduation. Its extremely helpful to have an advisor in the department that can suggest classes or professors that they would recommend. It also ensures you are fulfilling your requirements and electives necessary to graduate. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Gina: As a first-year living in dorms either suite style or hall style its incredibly easy to meet people. You will be living in a coed dorm where residence life organizes numerous events to bring the dorm together. As a dorm, you will have study rooms, dinner-mates, intramural athletes, gym buddies, and even people to ensure you make it home after a long night at the library or on Rugby Road. About 1/3 of the students join Greek life. There are plenty of options if you want to explore Greek life, or if thats not your thing. Personally, I was not involved in Greek life because sports were more important to me. I still visited my Greek friends at the fraternities. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Gina: I dont have a lot of experience with this. The University Career Services (UCS) is located inside Scott Stadium and they have a lot of helpful books on how to interview, take standardized graduate entrance exams, put resumes together, etc. I was not interested in working after school so I am not sure about what companies came to any career fairs. I can only speak to going to biomedical graduate school and for that, I found more information about programs and departments to apply to online than available at UCS. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges?Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Gina: The main undergraduate Arts and Sciences library can become pretty crowded (Clemons). Its a great place to go if you want to do homework in a social environment. Right next to Clemons is Alderman (another library), which has a caf and tends to be quieter. There are dozens of quiet study spaces on grounds the Chemistry library, Wilsdorf, Clark Library, the Curry School, etc. Dorm lounges are good places to go that are close but out of your room. The student union is in Newcomb (where theres a dining hall) and they have a pool table and ping-pong set up for students. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Gina: UVA is somewhat of a college town and most activities center around the university or the Corner (within walking distance to classes/ dorms). There is a lovely downtown area which is accessible by the free trolley or a less than a mile walk. The downtown area is blocked off to cars and has wonderful restaurants, a movie theatre, and a skating rink. Within 15 miles of Charlottesville, there are probably a dozen vineyards, including Dave Matthews vineyard Blenheim. To the west are the Appalachians which have wonderful hiking trails and scenic views of the Shenandoah valley. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Gina: The student body is about 12,000 undergraduates, but it did not feel that big when I was there. Students are grouped based upon living location, major, and extracurriculars, so you tend to be isolated from the mass of thousands. I would regularly have the same group of students in my Biology classes. First-year class sizes are larger as there are more general course requirements. By fourth year, most of my classes were between 15-20 students. Language, advanced math, and writing classes (and maybe others that I just didnt take) are limited to about 20 students to maximize interactions with the professor. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Gina: Theres only one story that comes to mind for my most memorable experience at UVA. When I entered as a first-year, I had lots of AP credit carry over and I was taking core requirement classes for Biology in my first year. I loved the Cell Biology core class taught by Mike Wormington and decided to declare Biology as my major early, in the spring of my first year. When you declare your major at UVA, you have to choose a major advisor, someone who will guide you through graduation and ensure that you take the classes you need. The only Biology professor I had interacted with was Professor Wormington, so I asked if he could be my major advisor. At the time, he was not take any more advisees and the department secretary suggested that I email him and ask for other potential advisors. I followed her advice and he returned my email saying that he would make an exception and take me on as his advisee. Over the course of the next three years, he helped me take a medical leave of absence for a year from UVA, gave me research experience in his lab, taught a class that my mom sat in on, and wrote my recommendation letter for graduate school. We have since stayed in contact and he even wrote my recommendation letters for graduate fellowships two years after graduation. He is an asset to UVA and I hope that all students have a similar experience with their advisors, whether it be at UVA or elsewhere. Check out Ginas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Should I Go To Kansas State University

Should I Go To Kansas State University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Rachel is a Phoenix tutor and 2011 graduate of Kansas State University. She holds a Bachelors degree in Animal Science Biotechnology and tutors several subjects, including Environmental Science tutoring, Genetics tutoring, and Medicine tutoring. Check out what Rachel had to say about her time at Kansas State University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Rachel: The Kansas State University campus is beautiful and safe! Obviously, I would not advise walking around at night alone, but the crime rate is relatively low. Manhattan, Kansas is a pretty small town. Depending on which side of campus your classes are/you live on, you can usually walk to your classes and Aggieville, where many of the shops and restaurants are. There are buses, but I am not certain of the details, since I never used them myself. I was able to walk most places and to drive to the few places that required it. A bike would be super useful in a town of Manhattans size. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Rachel:Although this is likely to be largely dependent on the college/department, I had wonderful experiences with all of my professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Kansas State University. I was in the College of Agriculture, and I had the most laid-back and down-to-earth teachers that I have ever met. I cannot think of a single time when I had to reach a faculty/staff member and had any difficulty in doing so. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Rachel:I actually did not live in the dorms. It is recommended but not required at Kansas State University. Although I would not change anything about my college experience, I do know that most of my friends loved living in the Kansas State University dorms. From what I have heard, the dining options are decent, but the dorm locations are prime. It is easy to get to and from most dorms to any other building on campus. There are many student activities available for dorm residents (and non-dorm residents), so socialization should not ever be an issue. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Rachel:I may be a bit biased because I was mostly exposed to the Science and Agriculture classes, but Kansas State University is known for its Engineering and Agriculture specialties. The College of Agriculture offers some really cool majors, such as Biotechnology (which I graduated with) and Bakery Science. The Biotechnology/Bioscience degree was just starting out when I was there, so the program was still developing, but everyone at Kansas State University was very supportive. I never had any problem finding resources to help me with anything at all at the school. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Rachel:Greek life at Kansas State University is prominent, but not huge. I had a lot of friends who were involved in it, but I chose not to be. I had no problem meeting people as a freshman! Kansas folk are generally pretty friendly, so striking up a conversation with someone in your class is easy. Since I did not live in the dorms, I did not have that platform for socialization. However, I think it would have been even easier for people in the dorms or those involved in Greek life to make some new friends. I would advise getting involved in many of the clubs that Kansas State University has to offer. Most colleges will host a few events in the beginning of the semester to showcase different clubs. The student union will also have some events to help students get involved too. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Rachel:I always had plenty of success working with the Career Center, although the College of Agriculture was my go-to resource for career advice, since they were usually able to answer my more personalized questions. Each college usually puts on a career fair too, which I found to be a great networking tool. Bramlage Coliseum also holds some interesting lectures throughout the semester, and those are great networking opportunities, as well. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Rachel:The study areas at Kansas State University had plenty of room and were frequently available. Kansas State University has one of the most incredible libraries (Hale Library) that I have ever seen... I always felt like I was studying in a castle when I was there. The student union was never too busy either. Again, I am not totally certain about the dorm lounges, but I have only heard positive things from my friends. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Rachel:If you love the big city feel, Kansas State University is not for you. However, for undergraduates, I thought it was a great size. The town is small enough to get around easily and to feel safe. All of the foliage around Manhattan is wonderful, and I spent a lot of time outdoors. Konza Prairie is a great place for Kansas State University students who like nature, as is the University Gardens. I was also involved in the recreational services, so I spent a lot of time at the Peters Recreation Complex. They have renovated it in recent years, and it is very nice. There are also outdoor areas like Tuttle Creek and Pillsbury Crossing you just have to research a bit. The student union also offers bowling and other fun activities. The food scene in Manhattan has grown a lot since I went there, and there are new restaurants popping up every year. The Aggieville area is fun and close to campus, but downtown Manhattan has some great places as well. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Rachel:There was a lot of variability in my class sizes, especially since I was in a rather esoteric major. My general education classes, such as Marketing and Economics, were rather large. However, I had several classes that had less than 20 people in them, so it varies with the class. I actually enjoyed the variety, as I felt like I had the best of both worlds. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Rachel:I cannot stress how much I enjoyed being part of the College of Agriculture, and it is honestly hard for me to choose just one memorable experience. I think one of my favorite Kansas State University experiences was my Senior Year Biotechnology class. There were only 12 people in the class, and the teacher was one of my favorites in the College of Agriculture. I learned so much in that course. Since the laboratory setting was so intimate, we got to take multiple field trips to visit different companies, and our teacher even stopped by Call Hall (you must try the vanilla cookie ice cream) to buy us ice cream a few times. Another one of my teachers dared me to fist-bump him instead of shaking his hand when I crossed the stage at graduation (which I, of course, did). Everyone was so laid back in the College of Agriculture. My one regret is not attending more of the college-specific events they offered fun rodeos and barbecues. Check out Rachels tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Best Creative Writing Courses in the UK.

The Best Creative Writing Courses in the UK. The Best Places in the UK for Creative Writing Classes. ChaptersForget the Haters: Why You Should Take a Creative Writing Course.Find a Creative Writing Degree at a UK University.Or Find a Postgraduate Creative Writing Course.Enrol on a Short Creative Writing Program or Retreat.Courses in creative writing are one of the few types of educational courses that can really divide people. You’ll have heard many high-profile people say that they are something of a waste of time. Others legitimately resent this, suggesting instead that they provide an important space for budding writers to hone their craft.It doesn’t help that, in some cases, the former group have been teachers on creative writing programmes themselves.But, in any case, this snobbishness towards creative writing as a discipline to be taught is strange. Artists have gone to academies for centuries to learn how to paint. Dramatists and musicians also head to conservatoires across the world to develop their skills in their respective fields.These guys don’t seem to be looked d own upon by the professional musicians, actors, or painters. So why should those who want to learn how to write be given this unfair treatment?Well, indeed. And, regardless, we are very much convinced of the importance of creative writing classes. Because writing is not just about feeling inspiration and putting pen to paper. It is not the old Romantic vision of individual creativity and passion.No, writing is a skill that needs to be practised and worked at tirelessly. And if you want to join a creative writing course, you’ll need to be prepared for that.Here, we are going to show you some of the best places to study creative writing across the UK â€" at university level and in shorter, less academic contexts. The choice of which is yours to make. We hope you find it helpful â€" but remember that attending a creative writing course is not enough to turn you into the next James Joyce.Whilst you are here, you can check out your job prospects with a creative writing degree and see s ome tips to improve your creative writing. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1s t lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsForget the Haters: Why You Should Take a Creative Writing Course.So, no â€" creative writing courses are not a waste of time, no matter which famous writer has said it. If you want to be a writer, there are an awful lot of things that you will need to consider â€" many of which you will never have realised â€" and a creative writing class is a great place to make sure you have them all covered.Let’s talk about a couple of these things briefly. Meanwhile, you can check out our article, What is Creative Writing? Never stop writing.Ensuring Your Write.One of the most important opportunities that a creative writing class offers is the time and motivation to write. Whether they are screenwriting, writing poetry, or writing creative nonfiction, sometimes things get in the way that prevent creative writers from dedicating time to their work.This is particularly true of university degrees in creative writing â€" which obviously last much longer than the short courses. If you can commit three years full-time to your novel with a student loan to back you up, you’ll be laughing.Having Others Read It.But you might not be laughing so much when you have to pull your manuscript out of your bag and present it to your class. Too many can people harbour the belief that they’ll be the next Shakespeare when they have never shown anyone their work.Creative writing courses ensure that other people can give you constructive criticism on your work. As that’s the best way to make it better.Honing Your Writin g Skills.Like learning a musical instrument, writing requires skill and practice. This is not something that you can just pick up just like that.Whilst you can be self-taught as a writer as much as you can as a musician, there is no harm in putting in the hours â€" with professional support and writing exercises â€" to produce the best lines and narratives you can.Learning the Tricks of the Trade.There is so much more to being a professional writer than the writing process itself. You’ll need to know how to navigate the world of literary magazine, the trials of getting published, and the whole length of your writing career.Many creative writing courses teach you all this too, by the way. Find out more about creative writing courses!Find a Creative Writing Degree at a UK University.The strongest creative writing degrees tend not to be found in the most conventionally reputed academic institutions. But don’t let this put you off: some of the creative writing degrees in the UK are incredibly popular and incredibly well-regarded.Here are three options for you.Study Creative Writing at Lancaster University.According to the Complete University Guide, Lancaster University’s creative writing department is the best in the country. And, on its three-year joint honours programmes â€" in which creative writing can be combined with English literature, film, or fine art â€" you’ll have a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the best creative writing teachers in the business.Take an Undergraduate Degree in Creative Writing at Newcastle University.Another very highly rated of the UK’s degree programs in creative writing is at Newcastle University. They too only offer creative writing degrees combined with English literature.Along with critical reading and writing, you’ll be working alongside professional writing practitioners and have the opportunity to work with poets like Paul Muldoon and novelists such as Andrea Levy. Check out creative writing courses!Do a Creative Writing Degree Online with the Open University.The Open University has always done higher education differently. This institution’s remote learning degree in creative writing is an online writing course â€" that allows people who want to work flexibly or remotely to gain the qualifications and education they want or need.On this course, you can work between forms â€" and you’ll be studying literature alongside too.Check out the features of creative writing!Or Find a Postgraduate Creative Writing Course.A great option for many budding writers is to complete an undergraduate degree in a more conventional academic subject and then continue to a Master’s or doctorate in creative writing subsequently.Like undergraduate degrees, this gives you the allocated time to commit to your work â€" and you’ll find that the postgrad courses are very rarely combined either.Do a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Manchester.A great place to do a creative writing masters is at the University of Manchester, one of the most popular destinations for a course of this kind in the UK.As part of the course, you will work with Manchester’s Centre for New Writing, which brings together established writers with you budding students. Of course, you can commit your time to poetry, fiction, screenwriting â€" or any other form of writing â€" as you see fit.Try the University of Aberdeen’s Master’s in Creative Writing.Available fulltime or part-time, the University of Aberdeen’s creative writing MLitt is a hugely popular postgraduate degree in Scotland.For this course, you’ll be required to submit writing samples as part of your application. And, to give you a sense of the sort of assessments these courses do, you’ll be required to submit a folio of coursework alongside an analytic essay at the end of your course.Commit to a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham.And then there’s the PhD in crea tive writing, which the majority of the aforementioned universities offer too.At Birmingham, the PhD is studied over three years (or six years, if part-time), and it can be done remotely. Throughout this period, you will need to produce a piece of creative work and analysis for your submission.Enrol on a Short Creative Writing Program or Retreat.Not everyone wants to go to university â€" and not everyone has all that time to spare. For those of you who fit into these boxes, shorter creative writing programmes, workshops, and retreats are available across the UK in all genres and forms of literary writing.From one-off events to week-long trips to the countryside, these can be great for everyone.Head to Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre, Moniack Mhor.One of the most romantic places to attend a creative writing course is near Beauly, near Inverness in Scotland.This is known as Moniack Mhor. Set in wonderful countryside, you can attend writing retreats all year round. They usually la st about five days. Creative writing is full of struggle - so keep it up!Or Find a Course at Arvon.Arvon claim to be the ‘home of creative writing’ in the UK â€" and they do have some stellar endorsements if you need persuading.They operate between Shropshire, Yorkshire, and Devon, and offer courses in poetry writing, screenwriting, playwriting, and much much more.Check Out the Faber Academy’s Many Creative Writing Programs â€" in Poetry, Fiction, or More.The Faber Academy in Bloomsbury, London have a winning method, having famous writers present their particular takes on specific writing skills.From researching fiction to creating characters, from editing your novel to reading, the Faber Academy has everything you need to become a better writer.

4 Ways Learning a Language Can Help Your Career

4 Ways Learning a Language Can Help Your Career Many high schools and colleges require students to study a foreign language. Beyond fulfilling this prerequisite for graduation, learning another language can boost your career prospects. This is increasingly important in todays global economy. As companies broaden their reach across continents, they are increasing communication and movement between offices around the world. At a more local level, companies are serving a diverse population. With nearly58 million Latino people in the United States for instance, Spanish is spoken more often and in more communities than ever before. This has led to more bilingual jobs. So how exactly can a foreign language help you in your job? Here are four ways learning a language can help your career: 1. Learning a language opens doors to new career opportunities A foreign language can expand your network. Not only are you able to speak with people from different backgrounds, youll also earn trust by demonstrating a deeper understanding of cultural norms and etiquette. This was certainly true for Chicago-based Varsity Tutors student Chris T. He began learning Mandarin Chinese to make himself more competitive at a company that conducts international logistics for ocean freights. While his Chinese colleagues knew fluent English, he noted that, Speaking to Chinese delegates in Chinese allowed me to be seen as more of a subject matter expert. Not only did I understand the logistics, but the culture as well. Speaking a foreign language can make you more appealing to international companies, qualify you for a wider range of jobs, and help you climb further up the ladder. What language will open most doors is dependent on the work you do. Mandarin Chinese and German are particularly helpful in fields like finance, while Spanish is useful in areas like sales, marketing, and healthcare. Thinking about what career you might like to pursue can help you decide which language to study. [RELATED: Why Should You Learn a Foreign Language?] 2. Learning a language improves crucial business skills Learning a language can be difficult. Challenging your brain sharpens various cognitive skills, many of which will help you be successful in your career. For instance, the process of language learningimproves decision making and increases perception. Memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary can improve your memory, and applying said rules can make you amore intuitive problem-solver. Speaking a foreign language can also increase your confidence at work. Denver-based Varsity Tutors student Rachael A. shared, Communicating with the people I work with in Spanish was great, but I never felt like I could be vulnerable and ask clarifying questions. Tutoring is allowing me to gain a higher fluency without embarrassment. 3. Learning a language sets you apart from other job applicants Foreign language enrollment isdecliningat U.S. universities and colleges, but the demand for bilingual workers hasmore than doubled in five years. Given this gap, having a foreign language on your resume can be a huge opportunity to help you stand out from other applicants. [RELATED: 4 Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job] 4. Learning a language may increase your salary Learning a foreign language may translate into anearnings boost due to differences in supply and demand. While the actual value will vary based on language and job function, its worth noting. Here at Varsity Tutors, business languages (Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese) grew four times faster than European and traditionally academic languages (Latin, French, German, and Italian) over the past year. One in three of non-English language tutoring sessions were completed by adult learners, suggesting some adults are now trying to get ahead in their careers. Want to get ahead early? If your school doesnt offer the language you think will propel your career forward, or you want to go a level deeper with your language learning, private tutoring can give you the edge you need to boost your career prospects. To learn more about language learning for professional development and to read our full report on the state of language learning in America,click here.

What You Can Learn from a Less-Than-Perfect Gig

What You Can Learn from a Less-Than-Perfect Gig Suzy S. No matter how much practice and preparation you put in, sometimes gigs or performances dont go as planned. But in the end, its all about what you gain from the experience. Read on for Los Angeles teacher John P.s story Every band encounters problems when they play shows. Sometimes it’s a few small things: a PA that isn’t loud enough, a crowd that isn’t into your music, malfunctioning gear, a tough time slot. Sometimes all those things can come together to cause a storm so perfect you just have to laugh and admire it. That’s what happened when my band The Quick And The Dead played our last show in Las Vegas. We started out with everything planned perfectly. We were going to stay with our friend Victor. The club had a new PA they’d just installed. Two of the guys were going to fly out from Los Angeles and meet us. We were well-rehearsed. What we found, however, was that things didn’t always go as planned. When we stopped for gas in the middle of the desert, Mike, the driver and drummer of our band, noticed the engine overheating. We ended up stranded at the next gas station for over two hours until AAA came. We were towed to the next available town, which was about twenty miles south. Even though we were pressed for time, we made the most of it as we waited.  We took a guitar and a hand drum from the truck and jammed in the parking lot. Just the three of us and the wide open Nevada sky. An iPhone captured the impromptu jam, which turned out pretty fun to listen to. As time continued to pass, we finally noticed the Avis car-rental place around the corner of the repair shop. We shook our heads and raced inside. We had twenty minutes until they closed and the only thing they had available was a huge Ford F-150 pickup truck. “We’ll take it.” We ran into a dollar store to see if there were any supplies we might need. My friend Jim and I found a cheap blue tarp for ten bucks and thought we should get it so no one would be able to see our gear. Then we hurried back to the shop, took all our gear from Mike’s Pathfinder and loaded the pickup. “We can still make the gig,” Mike said. “It’s only four o’clock.” An hour later the storm clouds blew in. The highway traffic crawled. Pitter. Pitter. Rain splattered the windshield. A mad dash on  Xxyyxx Road allowed us to secure the tarp as best we could. The sky turned pink and then purple. The light seemed fake, like a movie set. Soon thereafter the sky exploded in rain and lightning. The storm followed us all the way to Las Vegas. Crossing our fingers for our gear, we soldiered on. It took forever to get to Henderson. Our gear was untouched, which seemed miraculous. *** It was almost midnight when we arrived, two hours past our scheduled slot. There was still another band to wait through. By the time we dragged our gear in, the clock hovered near two in the morning.  Finally, we made our way on stage to play our set. The crowd. Hated us. From the first note, our brand of classic-inspired rock did not go over well. Neither did the horrendous feedback, the result of the owners having a new PA, which they did not know how to use, and just let us deal with on our own. A few songs in, Bryan, our other guitarist, suffered a mysteriously dead amp. The thing just cut out and would not turn back on. After unplugging and re-plugging it in, he finally got it to work. That was the least of our problems. We played low, but the feedback was non-stop. Even Neil Young would have been taken aback. Victor’s turn at fronting the band for a Rolling Stones song went over horribly. The people all had their backs to us by then, drinking at the bar, probably praying it would be over. Rarely have I ever wanted to get out of somewhere so quickly. But what I did was to change it around. We’d lost the crowd, so I focused in on my bandmates. We’ve known one another for years. Bryan and I traded solos, each trying to compliment the other. I shared the mic with Troy. I locked in with Mike. And then I looked down at my sunburst Les Paul, which has been with me all over the country, and has played shows in so many great moments, and smiled. We had earned a great story that night, one that we would be able to tell for years. No matter how much planning you do, there are sometimes things that will gather to just completely shut down a show. It happens, and the best thing to do is to just realize the next night things will be better. You can travel great distances and go through a lot, and it’s still an honor to play music, regardless of the outcome. Until we got back to the hotel room and realized we had three and a half hours to return our rental truck, a drive that usually would take four, but that’s a story for another time. You might also like Expert Audition Tips TakeLessons Exclusive! Jumpstarting Your Music Career: 5 Tips Nobody Talks About Avoiding 5 Common Rehearsal Mistakes John P. teaches bass guitar, guitar, music recording, songwriting, and acting lessons to students of all ages in Los Angeles, CA. He joined the TakeLessons team in October 2012, bringing several years of experience teaching, performing and touring with his bands. Learn more about John, or search for a teacher near you! Photo by Hans Gotun

Five Trusted Exam Prep Tips for All Students

Five Trusted Exam Prep Tips for All Students Few students love studying for tests but knowing how to do so effectively can transform their academic career. Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center says that there are certain practices that make exam prep of all types more productive and successful. Some students freeze up when it comes to test preparation, even if they actually understand a subject, says Huntington. There are several things students can do when studying to consistently improve their performance on exams and prove their knowledge. She offers these exam prep tips taught by Huntington: Its essential that students make a plan to study smart by allocating their study time appropriately. Reviewing areas that they know well and ignoring those they dont is likely to result in a grade thats lower than it could have been. The best approach is to use any review sheet or overview of what will appear on the test as a starting point. Create a study schedule. The single-most important exam preparation tip from Huntington: be consistent with study time. The best way to do this is to create a detailed schedule leading up to an exam date. This deters procrastination, spaces out studying, and keeps students focused on material that will be covered on their test. A study schedule helps students maximize study time and minimizes stress. Prepare the space and the mind. To study effectively, students must get into the right mindset and prepare their space for studying. This means removing any distractions, getting comfortable and flipping that switch to study mode. Students should print out the study schedule and gather any needed supplies (e.g. highlighters and sticky notes) while setting goals for each study session on what to cover. Use practice exams whenever possible. Taking practice tests is one of the best ways for students to get familiar with question types, test length, and material. If available for practiceas in an SAT or ACT exam prep course, for examplestudents should take advantage. Dont shortchange the sleep. Busy students often forgo sleep for studying when theyve got a big test coming up, but sleep deprivation can lead to worse academic performance. Late-night/all-night cram sessions make it hard for students to focus well and recall information. Huntington explains that preparing for tests and quizzes does not come naturally to all students. We see often that even bright students struggle with exam prep because of the inherent pressure that it brings, she says. Its important to correct those poor test preparation habits early so that by the time students get to college, theyre better equipped for success. To learn more about how Huntington helps students of all ages adopt essential study skills, including effective exam preparation, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN

Keeping Healthy Preparing Yourself For The ICAO English Exams

Keeping Healthy Preparing Yourself For The ICAO English Exams Pilots need to have a clean bill of health to maintain their license. This is a subject often raised in  the English Proficiency Test for Aviation. Learn how to talk about health when preparing for the ICAO English Exam.How do you keep yourself healthy?Talking About Stress during your ICAO English Exam:How do you relax?Do you have a soothing pastime?Do you meditate?Do you practice yoga?Talking About Food during your ICAO English Exam:Do you avoid fatty foods?Do you eat fresh fruit and vegetables?Do you drink lots of water?Talking About Habits During Your ICAO English Exam:Have you quit smoking?Do you limit your alcohol intake?ExerciseDo you go to the gym regularly?Do you try to walk to the shops?SupplementsDo you take a multi vitamin and mineral supplements?Do you take iron tablets?HygieneAre you conscious of the dangers of bacteria?Do you wash your hands regularly?Do you go to the dentist regularly?Positive Mental AttitudeHow do you work on your positive mental attitude?Do you surro und yourself with supportive people?Morgans Spurlocks award-winning documentary, Supersize Me, is a great exploration of the dangers of too much fast food. Lets watch the trailer now:Did you find this blog helpful? Please share it on Facebook and Twitter.